Top That One!

I was excited today to go to the highest train station in Europe (or the "Top of Europe") in an area called the Jungfraujoch. This destination is basically the saddle between two of the highest peaks in the Bernese Oberland (my greater backyard), the Monch and the Jungfrau.

Five trains from home, including an old cog wheel train (see picture where the mountains dwarf the train to make it look like a toy train set), delivered me to an altitude of 11,333 feet. All you could see were mountain tops blanketed in snow. All you could sense was the density of the sprawling glaciers. All you could feel was the frigid air and stinging wind. All you could think was that the views were spectacular!

They give you lots of reasons to make the trek and hang out at the Top of Europe. The Sphinx observatory from which you're technically able to see France, Germany, and Italy. Areas for snow activities (See picture below of the tiny black dots in the whited-out landscape. Those are people in the snow activities area). Tunnels with moving walkways that take you to various exhibitions. But my favorite was the Eispalast or Ice Palace.

As if I needed ice below my feet (let alone surrounding me) to exacerbate my slip-and-fall complex, I was like a little kid exploring all the tunnels and peeking around corners at the next ice sculptures. Or maybe I felt like a little kid because I was walking like I had a load in my diaper to ensure my footing. Either way, I enjoyed it immensely and came out without a scratch.

I threw in a few shots from the train ride back down the mountain. It's Fall, the mountains are starting to fill up with color, and it's beautiful. :)